Truss for torsion-balances and the like



(No Model.)

W. KENT.

TRUSS FOB. TORSION BALANCES AND THE LIKE. No. 396,497. Patented Jan. 22, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()EETCE.

\YILLIAM K EXT, OF PASSAIC, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPRINGER TORSION BALANCE COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, XEY JERSEY.

TRUSS FOR TORSION-BALANCES AND THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,497, dated January 22, 1889.

Application filed June 4, 1888. Serial No. 275,989. No model.) Patented in England April 13, 1886, No. 5,134.

0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, XVILLIAM KENT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Passaic, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trusses for Torsion-Balances and thelike, (which improvements were patented by me in England on the 13th day of April, 1886, and numbered 5,l3l;) and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to weighing-balances, having more particularreference to that class of such balances in which stretched wires, bands, or strips of elastic material-such as metalare employed for use as pivots or pivotal bearings for the scale-beam or its connections; but specifically my invention has reference to the construction of the frame or truss around which the wire is stretched.

lightness and rigidity to the truss, combined with exceeding cheapness and facilityof construction, and at the same time to insure nicety in the adjustment of the tension of the wires.

\Vith these ends in view my invention consists in the several features of improvement hereinafter fully described, and specifically designated by the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation showing my improved truss with the wire stretched thereon in accordance with my improved manner; Fig. 2, a side elevation illustrating the approved manner of securing the wire around a light sheet-metal truss; Fig. 3,2111 edge elevation of such a truss with the wire secured in proper position thereon. Fig. I shows one form of a malleable-metal truss before and. after the wire is secured thereon; and Fig. 5,a view similar to Fig. T, but showing a slightly different way of securing the wire arouml. the truss.

The same letters denote the same or like parts in the several figures.

In weighing-scales of this description it is necessary that the wire which constitutes the torsional pivot should be held to a certain degree of tension, and heretofore this has been accomplished by making the truss in sections and forcing the latter apart; and against: the wire by means of wedges or screws. While a truss so made answered the purpose intended, its construction, especially in the larger sizes, was deemed to be too bulky, and the cost of making such a truss, and of assembling the parts thereof in connection with the wire, was very great.

My invention contemplates the making of the truss in a singlepicce, and the stretching of the wire thereon simultaneously with the tinal operation in the formation of said truss.

In scales for weighing comparatively light materials the truss is made from sheet metal which has a resilient action if bent out of its normal shape, and in Fig. l I have shown such a truss with the wire stretched thereon.

The sheet-metal truss A is placed on any suitable supports, l5, and sprung out of shape by means of a downwardly-impelled pin or The ob j ect of my invention is to give greater plunger, 0. \Vhile the truss is thus sprung, the wire, the ends of which have been firmly united by any known processsuch as pinning, clamping, brazing, soldering, &c.-is placed within the grooves l) at the ends of the truss, and the latter then allowed to spring back to its normal shape, thus effectually confining said wire around the truss under the proper degree of tension. 'lhepropcr length of wire and the dimensions of the truss being predetermined, the desired tension may be thus given to the wire; but; this tension may be increased by tapping the face of the truss with a hammer. The uniform tension of the bands may be ascertained and secured in all instances by reference to the pitch of the musical note produced by their yibration between th cir lioh'ling-point's.

The shape of the truss isilnmaterial; but the style illustrated at lrig. l. is very advan tageous on account of its lightness and strength.

The springing of the truss may be effected in various ways and by the employment of ordinary mechanical devices, all of which are immaterial and have no bearing on the merit and gist of this invention.

In scales of theheavier class I make the truss from any malleable metal, and after placing the wire Within the grooves around said truss I gix e said wire the proper tension by striking the face of the truss with a hammer or by squeezing it between dies. In order, however, to facilitate the operation of eifecting the desired tension of the wire, I form the truss with an excess of stock at the center, as shown at E in Fig. 4, or I form said center concavo-convex, as shown at Fig. 5, it being obvious that any compression or hammering of the trusses so formed will more readily force the ends of the latter against the wire.

I do not wish to confine myself to any particular conformation of the truss as it is originally blanked or cast, as it is obvious that said truss may be corrugated or formed in various shapes, as will best permit or facilitate the springing or extension of the same against the encompassing wire, the gist of this invention resting in the broad idea of a truss composed of a single piece of metal extended against an encompassing torsion-Wire. It is obvious, therefore, that my improvement may be utilized in various forms other than in weighing-scales, since wherever the torsion of wire is rendered serviceable for any purpose my invention affords special advantages, and I do not wish to be limited to any particular use 'or adaptation of my invention.

I claim The combination, with a torsion-wire, of a truss composed of a single piece of metal eX- tended or expanded against said wire, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

\VILLIAM KENT.

Witnesses:

J. A. GLENDENNING, E. R. SMITH. 

